We report an automated strategy to conduct RAFT copolymerizations using a Chemspeed robotic platform capable of executing batch, incremental, and continuous monomer addition workflows under inert conditions. Copolymerizations of oligo(ethylene glycol) acrylate with benzyl acrylate (as a control) and fluorescein o-acrylate were conducted in toluene, THF, and DMF, with reaction progress monitored via ¹H NMR spectroscopy at defined intervals.

Photocatalysis enables valuable reactions such as synthetic transformations or energy conversion processes like water splitting. To rationally improve photocatalytic reactions, mechanistic insights are required. These can be obtained with kinetic measurements, which are, however, difficult to obtain for a large enough number of reaction conditions to provide systematic and valuable insights. 

The composition of reaction mixtures strongly influences the structural evolution and performance of noble metal-based catalysts. In this work, we compared the effect of the simultaneous presence of CO and NO on the noble metal state and CO oxidation activity of Pt/Al₂O₃ and Pt/CeO₂ catalysts under close-to-stoichiometric conditions using complementary in situ/operando X-ray and infrared spectroscopic techniques.

Due to its peculiar properties and strong interaction with noble metals, ceria is widely used as a catalyst support for numerous applications. In this work, morphologically pure and highly crystalline ceria nanocubes and nanorods were prepared to systematically investigate both the impact of the support morphology and Pd–Pt interaction degree on the noble metal-support interplay during CO oxidation.

High-throughput experimentation (HTE) is a critical tool in modern pharmaceutical discovery and development.

Inspired by the endless versatility offered by functional polymer materials in terms of modulating and imprinting diverse chemical, physical, and/or biological properties, we developed and screened a family of polymer catalysts, combining highly efficient catalytic functional groups with stimuli-responsive properties, to bring together the advantages of homogeneous catalysis and heterogeneous separation processes in a single catalytic system.

As part of a complex equilibria network with other chemical species, flavyliums, the chromophoric component of anthocyanins, hold great potential for use in functional polymers.

Packed powder beds and coatings are two relevant forms of catalysts, applied in industrial heterogeneous catalysis and multiple fundamental studies including operando spectroscopy.

A two-day workshop activity is described in which postgraduate students are introduced to (i) the theory and application of Design-of-Experiments (DOE) approaches and (ii) the implementation of affordable automation technologies and related data analysis of a system of catalytic interest.